US Medical Term · financial
Financial Assistance Policy
Política de Asistencia Financiera
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Financial Assistance Policy |
| Spanish (Español) | Política de Asistencia Financiera |
| Chinese (中文) | 经济援助政策 |
| Korean (한국어) | 재정 지원 정책 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Chính sách hỗ trợ tài chính |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Patakaran sa Tulong Pinansyal |
| Portuguese (Português) | Política de Assistência Financeira |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | นโยบายความช่วยเหลือทางการเงิน |
| Japanese (日本語) | 財政支援方針 |
What it means
A financial assistance policy (FAP), sometimes called a charity care policy, is a written document that nonprofit hospitals are required to maintain under IRS Section 501(r) to keep their tax-exempt status. The FAP must describe who qualifies for free or discounted care, how to apply, what documentation is required, and how the hospital calculates discounted charges. Hospitals must widely publicize the FAP—posting it on their website, making paper copies available on request, and mentioning it in billing statements. ACA rules require that patients with income up to at least 200% of the federal poverty level receive some financial assistance. Always ask for a FAP application as soon as you receive care at a nonprofit hospital, even if you were not offered one.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Ask for a copy of the hospital's financial assistance policy before you pay any large medical bill.
Solicite una copia de la política de asistencia financiera del hospital antes de pagar cualquier factura médica importante.
The financial assistance policy must be posted on the hospital's website and made available in multiple languages.
La política de asistencia financiera debe publicarse en el sitio web del hospital y estar disponible en varios idiomas.
Under IRS 501(r) rules, nonprofit hospitals must reference their financial assistance policy in every billing statement.
Según las reglas 501(r) del IRS, los hospitales sin fines de lucro deben hacer referencia a su política de asistencia financiera en cada estado de cuenta.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026